How Water Conservation Affects Water Rates

Californians are making water conservation a way of life. In Amador County, AWA customers are using about 16% less water this summer than in 2013. What is good news for the state’s water conservation goals is making it tough for rural water agencies – while water sales and therefore revenues go down significantly, the costs to deliver water to all AWA customers from Camanche to the high country don’t change much.

A recent study by an outside financial expert determined that current AWA water rates and charges are not enough to cover operating, maintenance and replacement costs. The Amador Water Agency will be considering adjustments to water rates during a public hearing on August 15. The proposal would establish water rates effective from October 2017 through July 2021. For most residential customers, the initial water rate adjustment would increase water bills by $4.31 per month. Subsequent annual adjustments would be limited to between $2.57 per month and $3.03 per month.

Under the proposed water rates, the water usage rate for most water service customers will remain unchanged at the current amount of $2.44 per CCF (unit) from now through at least July 2021.

Additional information on the proposed adjustments to the Agency’s water rates and charges, and the financial challenges facing the Agency is available here: Water Rate Report